Fireproof ceiling, arch, &amp;c.



Patented Ian. I, I901.

J. S. MERRITT. FIREPBOOF CEILING, ARCH. 81.0.

{Application filed. Sept. 15. 1899.]

(No Model.)

FIG

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES S. MERRITT, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE MERRITT & COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

FlREPROOF CEILING, ARCH, 80c.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 664,879, dated January 1, 1901.

Application filed September 15, 1899. Serial No.730,529. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern: loose ofisetting blocks or pieces arranged be- Be it known that I, JAMES S. IWIERRITT, of tween the lathing and centering, which bethe city and county of Philadelphia, in the come embedded and incorporated in the ce- State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Imment or plastic material. By making these 55 provementin Fireproof Ceilings, Arches, 850., blocks or pieces of cement or concrete or of of which the following is a specification. whatever material is used in the construction My invention has reference to fireproof ceilof the floor their presence when the centering ings orarches; and it consists of theimproveis removed is rendered entirely unobjectionments which are fully set forth in the followable, and they become actually incorporated 60 :0 ing specification and are shown in the accomin the body of the cement or concrete and panying drawings. form with it a homogeneous mass presenting More particularly my invention relates to a smooth intrados or surface which need not that class of fireproof ceilings or arches which be further plastered or finished except for consists of a combination of metallic lathing purely decorative purposes. 65 and cement or plastic material in which the My invention is illustrated in the accomlathing is embedded. Itis desirable in some panying drawings, in which ceilings and arches of this character that the Figure 1 is a transverse vertical sectional lathing should be thoroughly embedded in view of a fireproof ceiling embodying my inthe plastic material with a substantial layer vention. Fig. 2 is a similar view, enlarged, 7o of plastic material on the lower side. Where of a portion of the same, omitting the consuch ceilings and arches are constructed with crete or plastic material; and Fig. 3 is a percentering, means must be provided for elevatspective view of one of the offsetting-blocks. ing the body of the lathing above the surface I I are the beams between which the arch of the centering to provide space for the for-' or floor is formed. 75 mation of the layer of concrete or cement be- A is a sheet of metallic lathing, which may low the body of the lathing. In some cases be of any suitable character, such as expandthe centering has been provided with projeced metal. tions or offsets to hold its surface away from B is a centering such as is commonly used the lathing t0 the desired extent; but such in the construction of arches. 80 3o methods are objectionable, as the oifsets or G O are the oifsetting blocks or pieces, prefprojections form holes or openings in the conerably formed of concrete or cement. crete, which must afterward be filled up. In constructing an arch or ceiling the cen- This requires additional labor, and such teringB is first put in place and the blocks and arches or ceilings must be carefully plastered pieces 0 are placed upon it and disposed over 85 3 5 or finished on the lower surface after the centhe surface in suit-able number and proper lot-ering is removed. It has also been proposed cation. The lathing A is then laid on, extendto provide the lathing with offsetting projecing from beam to beam and resting upon the tions, which rest upon the centering and hold blocks or pieces 0, which act to hold the laththe body of the lathing at the desired elevaing out of contact with the centering and ele- 90 tion; but such methods are also highly objecvated a slight distance above it. The plastionable, because such lathingis more expentic material or concrete D is. poured on the sive and difficult to make, and when the cenlathing, and the lower portion passes through tering is removed the offsetting portions of the interstices thereof and forms alayer bemetal which rested upon the centering are low, thoroughly embedding the body of the 5 exposed and not covered by cement, and the lathing. The offsetting-blocks Care also emarch must be plastered and finished at addibedded in the concrete and become fixed and tional expense and labor. incorporated therein, and as they are prefer- It is the object of my invention to accomably formed of cement or concrete they beplish the offsetting of the lathing from the come practically a portion of the concrete or I00 centering without these difficulties or objeccement body of the arch. When the concrete tions, and to this end I employ a series of has hardened or set, the centering is removed.

The blocks or pieces 0 may be formed in any convenient shape, that shown consisting of an inverted frustum of a cone, being preferably used because it permits the cement or concrete to become easily packed around the block and thus to more effectively fix and hold the block in place.

While I have illustrated my invention as applied to a curved arch, it is equally applica ble to flat arches and fiat ceilings, floors, and partitions.

The details of construction may be varied without departing from the invention.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. An arch, ceiling, &c., consisting of a body of metallic lathing, a series of small independent supporting-blocks wholly separate from and unconnected with the lathing but acting to support it during the formation of the arch, and a body of plastic material embedding said lathing and supporting blocks or pieces in the lower layer of the plastic ma terial below the lathing.

2. An arch, ceiling, &c., consistingof a body of metallic lathing, a series of small independent supporting-blocks formed of cement or concrete wholly separate from and unconnected with the lathing but acting to support it during the formation of the arch, and a body of plastic material embedding said lathing and supporting blocks or pieces in the lower layer of the plastic material below th lathing.

3. In an arch or ceiling construction, the combination of a centering, a body of metallic lathing arranged above the centering, abody of plastic material embedding said body of metallic lathing, offsetting-pieces formed of the same material as the body of plastic material, arranged below the centering and acting to offset the lathing from the surface of the centering and embedded with said lathing in said body of plastic material.

t. In an arch or ceiling construction, the

combination of a centering, a body of metal-' lic lathing arranged above the centering, a

body of plastic material embedding said body of metallic lathing, ofisetting-pieces formed of plastic material, arranged below the centering and acting to offset the lathing from the surface of the centering and embedded with said lathing in said body of plastic material.

In testimony of which invention I have hereunto set my hand.

JAMES S. MERRITT. \Vitnesses:

ERNEST HOWARD HUNTER, II. T. KRATZ. 

